Filling valve



Uct. 15,1929. McGHEE ET AL 1,731,585

FILLING VALVE Fiied Dec. 15. 1924 Int/e ntors Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITEDSTATES- PATENT OFFICE THURMAIV MCGI-IEE, OF HAYWARD, AND PETER WOODHEAD, F OAKLAND, CALI- FORNIA, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SPRAGUE-SELLS CORPORATION, OF

HOOPE STOIQ', ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FILLING VALVE Application filed December 15, 1924. Serial No. 755,856.

This invention relates to a filling machine and especially to a machine forfilling cans, 7

jars, bottles and the like with liquids, semiliquids, etc.

Most filling machines in use today, and particularly those employed in fruit canneries for filling cans with syrup after fruit has been placed thereim'are so designed that a portion of the fillingvalve enters the can or other receptacle tobe filled with syrup, the portion of the valve entering the can serving either the function of a displacement head or that of a venting member. In actual practice, this has. proved to be rather a serious objection as it has been found that any device entering the can has a tendency to out or bruise the contents, this being particularly true when handling larger fruits, such as peaches, pears and the like.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a filling valve which will eliminate cutting or bruising ofthe fruit. This is accomplished by so constructing the valve that the portion. thereof which enters the can either as a displacement member, vent or otherwise may be formed of rubber or any other resilient material which will yield or bend sufficiently if brought in contact with the fruit to prevent cutting or bruising thereof.

One form which our invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the fillingvalve' forming thesubject matter of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing a modified form of sealing gasket. I

Fig. 3is a bottom view of the Valve shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the valve and sealing gasket shown in Fig. 2. i I

Fig. 5 is a detail cross-section showing a modified form ofventing member.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section of one of the venting members shown in Referring to the drawings in detaihand particularly to Fig.1, A indicates a main supply tank or reservoir in which is contained a suitable quantity of syrup such as indicated at 2. The filling valve B forming the subject matter of the present application is attached'to the bottom of the tank shown at 3 and extends upwardly therethrough. The valve proper consists of a cylindrical base flange 4 extending through the bottom of the tank and secured thereto by means of screws 5 or other suitable means. Slidably mounted in the base flange is a combined valve and venting member generally indicated at C. Extending upwardly from the base flange l are two or more interspaced vertical arms 6, and formed integral therewith and extending radially inwardly are arms 7 which terminate in a central bearing member 8. A tubular extension 9 extends downwardly from the central bearing member and this tube, together with the central bearingS, forms a guide and a support, for an adjustable venting member generally indicated at D, which will hereinafter be described.

The combined valve and venting member generally indicated at C consists of a cylindrical lower portion 10 which is vertically slidable in the base flange 4. A packing gasket 11 is interposed between thesame and a liquid-tight joint is in this manner maintained which will prevent escape or leakage of liquid at this point. Formed on the lower end of the cylindrical portion 10 is an annular outwardly extending flange 12 and carried therebyis a combined sealing gasket and venting member generally indicated at E. This gasket is circular. Its lower surface is provided with a plurality of downwardly projected tubular extensions 13. These extensions, together with the gasket proper, are cored out, as shown at 14, and these passages align with venting tubes 15 carried by the cylindrical portion of the valve C. The ventingtubes may be secured to the cylindrical portion or formed integral therewith as de-' sired and they are so positioned that they will helical spring 17 or the like may be placed in the rubber and vulcanized therein during the manufacture of the gasket, this being particu larly illustrated in Fig. 6.

The gasket E serves three functions, first that of sealing the upper end of the can F, second that of carrying the venting members or tubular extensions, and third the function of a valve. This last function is accomplished by forming an annular seat 18 in the inner face of the gasket which is adapted to engage a stationary valve seat or disk 19 secured on the lower end of the stationary tube 9. The gasket E is normally held in contact with the valve disk 19 by means of a spring 20, this.

1 spring surrounding the tube 9 and being interposed between the central bearing member 8 and a bearing disk 8 which is secured to the lower cylindrical portion 10 of the member G'by means of a plurality of radial arms 21. The spring, in other words, exerts a downward pressure on the member C and as such maintains the annular shoulder 18 of the gasket in contact with the outer periphery of the valve disk and the liquid flow between the cam and the container A is thus prevented when the valve is closed. The valve as a Whole is otherwise provided with a liquid seal trap formed by the annular flanges indicated at 22 and 23. The flange 22 forms a part of the cylindrical portion 10 of the member C-and itextends downwardly. The

flange 23 extends upwardly and is for-med as a part of the valve disk 19. The two annular fianges form a tortuous passage through which the liquid flows when'the valve is opened, and they form a liquid seal trap to prevent further flow of liquid when a predetermined liquid level has been obtained in the can, as will hereinafter be described.

' The operation of the valve will be as follows: It should first be understood that the tank A is preferably circular and that a number of filling valves are attached thereto. Mounted below the tank is a revolving table to which the cans are delivered one by one. This table is provided with a seriesof plungers upon which the cans rest, and these plungers are elevated in successive order to force the cans upwardly against the'sealing gasket E, so as to seal the upper end of thejcan and also to lift the member 0 upwardly to open the valve and to permit the liquid to drain into the can. The revolving table, together with the plungers, the means for centering the cans on the plungers, and the means for raising the plunger-s, is not here illustrated as practically all filling machines are provided with such mechanisms and therefore forms no part of the present application.

Itjsho'uld suffice to say that when a can is present invention as it is brought into register with the filling valve, it is elevated a sufficient distance; first, to bring the upper edge in contact with the sealing gasket E, so that the upper end of the can will be sealed, and second to impart further upwardmovement of the can which 1s sufficient to move the member 0 upwardly against flow until the liquid level shownin Fig. 1 is reached- At this point the liquid reaches the lower ends of the venting members 13 and seals the same; Liquid, will, however, continue to flow through the annular passage formed exteriorly of the valve disk 19 and the liquid entering, after the lower ends of the vents 13 have become sealed, will rise upvardly in the'venting members until the same liquid level is attained. as that in the tank A. During this upward rise of the liquid in the venting tubes 15, air is trapped between the valve disk 19 and the lower ends of the venting members 13. This air is gradually compressed as the liquid rises in the venting tubes and the final pressure attained will be equal to the hydrostatic head of the liquid in the tank and in the ventin-g'tubes. This hydrostatic pressure is, inother words, utilized to compress the air'trapped between the valve plate 19 and the lower ends of the venting members 13 and the air thus compressed will serve the function of preventing further flow of liquid final hydrostatic pressure is attained. This feature, however, forms no part of the fully illustrated, explained and claimed in our copending application entitled Filling valve filed March 19, 1923, Serial No. 626,110, but it is nevertheless referred to in this application so as to render the construction and operation of the valve as clear as possible.

WVhen the final liquid level has been attained in the can, the plunger supporting the can recedes.- The annular shoulder 18 isthus brought back into engagement with the'o uter periphery of the valve disk 19 and the can is further'lowered with relation tothe sealing gasket E to a point, where it may be removed duringthe step by step rotation of the. table and plungers supporting'the cans. eration is repeated again and again as each can is brought into. register with a filling valve.

Substantially all of the mechanism'shown in this application is illustrated in our. 00- pending application referred to, the only new feature being that of providing the resilient into the can when the The 013-,

tubular venting members indicated at 13 and the central venting member D which will member illustrated is provided with another feature which is also an improvement over the structure shown in our copending application. By referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that a small rubber lug is formed on the inner surface of the gasket in alignment with each venting member 13. These lugs serve the function of deflecting the inflowing liquid or splitting up the annular stream which would otherwise enter. The points of deflection take place in alignment with the venting members and thus break up the in coming stream of syrup or other liquid to such an extent thatthe air can freely escape through the inflowing stream of liquid as the can is being filled. For instance, if a complete annular stream of liquid were flowing over the outer periphery of the valve disk 19, the air in the center of the can could not escape to the vents 13," except by passingthrough the wall of the annular inflowing stream. This objectionable feature is overcome by splitting up the stream by means of the lugs 25 and perfect venting and escape of the air is insured. I

The type of sealing gasket and vents shown in Fig. 1 is employed with practically all kinds of fruit except pineapples. Pineapples when canned are cut into flat disks such as shown at 27 in Fig. 2 and their center portions are cored out as at 28. The cans are substantially filled with these disks of pineapples and a venting member such as shown at 13 could not be employed as too great a space would be formed on the top of the can.

In that instance the venting member D is employed and a sealing gasket such as shown at 29 is placed on the lower side of the annular flange 10. This gasket closes the venting tubes 15 and permits the venting member D to function. V

The venting member D consists of a tube which passes through the central bearing member 8 and the extended tube portion 9 thereof. The upper portion of the tube is threaded as shown at 30 and it has a threaded engagement with the central hearing member 8. The balance of the venting-tube is left smooth to serve the function of a packing surface and the lower end is closed by means of a disk 31. The tube is perforated as shown at 32 just above the disk and the lower face of the valve disk 19 is recessed to receive the disk These members are sufficiently.

31. Hence, when the venting member D is not required, it is screwed upwardly until the disk 31 enters the recess in the lower end of the valve disk 19. The vents 32 are thus sealed and this part of the mechanism becomes inoperable. When the gasket E is removed and the substitute gasket 29 is applied, as shown in Fig. 2, the venting member D must be employed audit is brou ht into operation by merely turning the tufie in a direction which will force it downwardly in the threads of the central bearing member 8. The venting member may be adjusted due to this threaded engagement, soas to attain any liquid level desired in the can, and it cannot injure the fruit, such as pineapple and the like, as it enters the can in the central core space 28, as indicated. F ig.- 5 merely shows a modifled form of gasket, such as employed in Fig.

1; that is a solid annular wall is formed on the lower face of the gasket as indicated at 3 1 and the venting passages are cored thereb as indicated at 35. This form of gasket 1s fairly suitable where large fruit is handled, such as peaches, pears and thelike.

The reason for vulcanizing or placing a spring 17 in the tubular extension 13, as shown in Fig. 6, is to prevent excessive flexibility thereof, particularly in a vertical direction. Such a spring permits lateral deflection or bending movement, but it avoids vertical. compression and to this extent may be desirable in many instances. Vertical compression or shortening of the venting member 13 to any extent would not be desirable as it would change the final liquid level in the different cans. s

From the foregoing it can be seen that a filling valve has been provided which permits filling'of the, cans to a predetermined level without danger of cutting or bruising the fruit, this being accomplished by so. constructing the valve that the portion thereof which enters the can may be formed of a flexible material, such as rubber or the like, and whilethe portion here illustrated serves the function of a venting member, it is obvious that a displacement head constructed of a resilient material could also be employed.

WVe similarly wish it understood that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and udgment of the manufacture may dictate or various 'usesmay demand. A

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by LettersPatent is 1. In a fillingldevice of the character described, a can closing and sealing gasket,and a plurality of flexible tubular venting memhere on the lower face of the gasket and insertible in thecan when the gasket is applied, said venting members determining a final liquid level in the can.

2. Ina device of the character described, an

ilk

annular member forming a combination can closure and filling member, a valve cooperating therewith and forming an annual discharge opening into'the can, a venting member and deflecting members adjacent the annular discharge opening adapted to divide the liquid into a number of separate streams to create a plurality of free air passages when filling the can.

'8. In a device of the character described, an annular member forming a combination can closure and filling member, a valve cooperating'therewith and forming an annular discharge opening into the can, a plurality of venting members carried by the annular member and insertible in the can when filling the same, and a deflecting member adjacent each vent and adapted to divide inflowing liquid into a number of separate streams when filling the can.

4. Ina device of the character described, an annular member, a gasket carried thereby and forming a can closing and sealing device, a valve cooperating therewith and iorming an annular discharge opening into the can through-which the can may be filled with a liquid, a plurality of rubber tubes extending downwardly from the gasket and insertible in the can when the gasket is applied, said rubber tubes forming venting members which determine a final liquid level in the can, and a reinforcing-member in each venting tube to prevent collapse thereof when engaging material within the can.

,5. In a device'oi the character described, an

annual member, a gasket carried thereby and forming a can closing and sealing device, a valve cooperating therewith and forming an annular discharge opening into the can through which the can maybe filled with a liquid, a plurality of rubber tubes extending downwardly from the gasket and insertible in the can when the gasket is applied, said rubber tubes forming venting members, a deflee ing member adjacent each vent and adapted to divide an infiowing stream of liquid into a number of separate streams when filling a can, and a spiral spring in each venting tube to prevent collapse thereof it bent or deflected by contact with material within the can.

7. In a device of the character described, an annular member forming a combination can closing and filling member, a valve cooperating therewith and forming an annular discharge opening into the can through which liquid flows to fill-the can, a centrally disposed venting tube, means permitting vertical, adjustment of the same, and the venting tube when raising it to a predetermined position, said means opening the venting tube when it is lowered.

8. In a device of the character described, an annular member forming a combination can closing and filling member, a'valve cooperating therewith and "forming an annular discharge opening into the can through which liquid liows to fill the can, a movable venting tube, means permitting adjustment of said tube, and means for closing the venting tube when it is moved to a predetermined position, said means opening the venting tube when it is moved away from saidposition.

9. In a device of the character described, a can closing and sealing gasket, a flexible venting member on the lower face of the gasret and insertable in the can when the gasket is applied, said venting member. determining a final liquid level in the can. s

10. In a device of the character described, an annular member forming a combination can closure and filling member, a'valve coop-v erating therewith and forming'fan annular discharge opening into the can, a venting member carried by the annular member and insertable in the can when filling the same, and a deflecting member adjacent the vent and adapted to divide the stream of infiowing liquid when filling the can.

' i I TIIURMAN 'McGHEE. i PETER VVOODHEAD.

6. In a device of the character described, an

annular member, a gasket carried thereby and forming a can closing and sealing device, a valve cooperating with the gasket and forming an annular discharge opening into the can through which the can may be filled with a liquid, a plurality of rubber tubes formed on the lower face of the gasket-and extending into the can when the gasket is applied, said rubber tubes forming venting members, a plurality of venting tubes carried by the sleeve-like member, and means insuring registration between the rubber venting tubes and the last-named venting members.

means for closing 

